Many industry analysts predict that introducing AI-driven chatbots for routine inquiries will inevitably reduce customer support costs for retail banks. However, implementing these systems requires significant ongoing expenditures for software updates and specialized technical staff. Furthermore, automated interfaces often alienate customers seeking complex financial guidance, leading to higher customer attrition. Therefore, retail banks that rely heavily on AI chatbots to cut operational expenses will ultimately experience a net decline in overall profitability.
In the argument above, which of the following best describes the roles played by the two boldfaced portions?
- The first is evidence offered to support the author's main position; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.Answer
- BThe first is evidence offered to support the author's main position; the second is an intermediate conclusion used to support a broader claim about industry trends.
- CThe first is a claim presented to support the prediction made by industry analysts; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.
- DThe first provides background information establishing a general industry trend; the second is a counterargument that the author seeks to refute.
- EThe first is the main conclusion of the argument; the second is a premise supporting that conclusion.
Answer
The first boldfaced statement provides evidence introduced by the author to counter the analysts' view and support the author's position, while the second boldfaced statement expresses the main conclusion of the argument.
The first boldfaced portion presents empirical evidence regarding ongoing expenditures, introduced with the pivot 'However' to challenge the analysts' claim and support the author's point of view. The second boldfaced statement begins with 'Therefore' and presents the author's final recommendation/prediction, which is the main conclusion of the passage.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Identifying Boldface Statement Roles in Critical Reasoning